1952
Siquijor Island, Philippines
Esther Banks threw her pen down, rubbed her eyes and sighed.
"Tired?" Angleton inquired.
"I think I've had just about enough."
James Angleton, assigned to LANGUID PLATYPUS to investigate an outbreak of possession cases on Siquijor, had taken his trainee with him. It was Esther's first major trip outside Britain, and while she had been impressed with the beauty of the islands the investigation had proved to be a harrowing one. It was their last evening on Siquijor and Esther was making final corrections to the report that would have to be submitted upon their return.
The night was warm and humid; other than the background noise of insects, the only sounds were the rustle of pages as Angleton turned over his notes and the whirr of the circulating fan on the table. Esther felt hot and sticky. Even Angleton had taken off his suit jacket and loosened his tie.
"Have you packed?" Angleton inquired without looking up.
"Yes, sir. And checked our travel documents and confirmed transportation to the harbor tomorrow. We need to catch the early ferry to Manila to be in time for the ship sailing."
"Excellent." Angleton set his notepad aside. "The report can wait for a moment. I want to hear your impressions of this trip, Esther. The reason I brought you with me was to familiarize you with assignments in foreign territories. It's time for you to learn skills other than exorcism and putting down infestations. When in other countries you can't expect the same sort of backup you've been used to so far. You need to be alert, learn how to distinguish between potential allies and enemies and how to gather data that could be useful later on. Agents must pick up as much information as possible about the countries they're assigned to. They do this by cultivating contacts, learning local politics and gathering data about any plans the local governments may have. The Laundry is in the business of occult intelligence – collecting information as well as protecting the world from the denizens of other universes. In every country there will always be idiots who think they can harness these forces for their own use. They are wrong."
The temperature in the room seemed to have dropped ten degrees while Angleton was speaking. Esther swallowed nervously. "Yes, sir. Two things. The communist insurgency here may or may not be an issue as far as we are concerned. I'm inclined to think not, as Communism tends to deny the supernatural even exists. That said, if the local government is destabilized by the insurgency that could create a problem."
Angleton nodded. "And do you think there are likely to be any insurgents here?"
"I haven't noticed any, sir. I mean, no one acting in a suspicious manner."
"Hm. We'll come back to that. What is your second point?"
"Mr. Taylor is my second point. He's been very polite, but he's been trying to probe me for information. Every time you and I were separated he kept turning up to talk to me."
This earned her a nod of approval. "Good. You noticed that." Taylor, their local liason, was an American occult intelligence operative from the Comstock office. Though the Philippines had become an independent republic a few years previously there was still a strong American presence in the islands. "I trust you revealed nothing?"
"I played the dutiful secretary, sir." Esther's tone was dry. "I think he thinks I'm just here to take shorthand and send telegrams."
Angleton looked coldly amused by her comment. "Always watch the people in the background, Esther. Just because someone acts like a subordinate doesn't mean that they are. And that goes for the ones who act the fool as well. One of the most effective agents I ever met gave a perfect imitation of an incompetent dunderhead." He glanced at his watch. "Switch the transmitter on, would you? The news should be coming on shortly."
The radio had just announced "This is the BBC World Service…" when a knock came at the door. Angleton, looking irritated, waved to Esther to answer it. The man who stumbled into the room sweating and short of breath was Ronald Taylor, so agitated that Esther nearly did not recognize him. Clearly he had just run across the compound.
"Sir, I – " he stopped and looked at Esther.
"Miss Banks is my confidential assistant," Angleton replied calmly. "You need not hesitate to speak in front of her. I take it there is some sort of emergency?"
"There is. I have been authorized to speak with you, Dr. Angleton. We need your help. There is a situation…" Angleton gestured to a chair and Taylor slumped into it, swabbing the perspiration from his face with a handkerchief. "There is a situation. Not here, but in Hawaii. One of our territories."
"I am familiar with it." Angleton cast a quelling glance at Esther, who had perked up at the word "Hawaii."
"We began noticing incidents on the island of Hawaii – the largest of the islands – a few months ago. A man I have worked with many times, John Summers, took it upon himself to investigate. He was a very experienced agent who knew his job."
"'Was'? Past tense?"
"Yes, sir. I just got word that the outbreak has escalated and Agent Summers is dead. The OPA has taken over and is, ah, sending a representative to evaluate the situation. But if you could be there to observe…?" Taylor let the question trail off with a pleading look.
Angleton frowned. "As you know, we are scheduled to leave tomorrow, Agent Taylor."
"The situation has the potential to affect the entire territory, sir. The Black Chamber is effective, but you know their methods have become somewhat more aggressive in recent years. There is a political movement to grant Hawaii statehood. We need to solve this problem while remaining on good terms with the local government. Your presence could help with that."
"You said the situation is urgent. Won't it take at least a week to get there?"
"You won't be going by boat. There is a military plane on standby in Manila, sir. You will be there within 36 hours. I arranged it myself." Taylor had dropped his usual mildly shy manner and spoke with authority. "Those of us who were active during the war remember your accomplishments against the Nazis. My manager asked specifically for your help. You worked together in Cologne, I believe?"
"I remember it very well; there was a hive of occult activity there. We didn't bomb the city for the fun of it." Angleton nodded. "Very well, Mr. Taylor. Please give your manager my regards when next you speak with him. Esther, could you cancel our berths on the ship and send a telegram to headquarters? I will obtain further information while you are doing that."